While many summer camps have been canceled, Inside the Outdoors — OCDE’s unique, hands-on environmental education program — is offering a free, virtual summer camp for children ages six to 12 years old.
Through the virtual summer camp, young learners are supplied with weekly packets full of educational activities that can be completed in their own homes and backyards. Campers participate in daily projects that are science/nature-based and include a daily nature journal prompt, family extension activities, kindness activity, get-moving activity and virtual sharing of ideas with fellow campers.
But the best — and cutest — part of camp is the opportunity for campers to virtually interact with the animals that make up a large part of the Inside the Outdoors program. Each week, campers are introduced to a new “Flat Animal Ambassador”, and they get to meet these special animals via a daily Zoom check-in call.
“It’s important for kids to get outside, especially right now.” said Stephanie Smith, Operations Manager for Inside the Outdoors. “Even if they’re learning virtually and using our virtual field trip videos via our summer camp zoom calls, or their backyard space, everything in nature has a story. Our goal is to inspire our campers to explore and observe the world around them.”
OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors has been a leader in hands-on science and social science programs since 1974. The mission of the program is to empower students, teachers, parents and the community to explore natural areas and expand their knowledge, understanding and stewardship of the environment.
To learn more about Inside the Outdoors, visit the ITO website.